Ricercare (1967) By Glen Tetley

Question 1

What year was Ricercare first created and for who?

Answer 1

1966- for American Ballet Theatre

Question 2

What year was Ricercare then mounted and performed by Rambert?

Answer 2

1967

Question 3

What is the subject matter of the dance?

Answer 3

A plotless pas de deux, based on the idea of a couple searching for the truth in life or about themselves.

Question 4

What is the physical setting?

Answer 4

• Set: a very large, white arch structure positioned centre stage= allows for the 2 dancers to be suspended away from each other or cradled close to one another
• Costume: a fully nude catsuit

Question 5

Who was the set designer and lighting designer?

Answer 5

• set: Ter-Arutunian
• lighting: John B. Read

Question 6

1. what is a movement example from this work

Include the interpretation and how this shows Tetley’s choreographic style

Answer 6

Movement: Male dancer is lay in a supine position, but on his knees, and his arms stretched out in a v above his head, suspending his back off the floor and his head is tipped backwards. The female dancer is lying in a prone position directly on top of the male dancer, but she is lifting up from her hips, raising her chest. Her arms are in a high v above her head, and she is looking upwards.

Interpretation: The dancers appear to be resembling the arched structure used in this dance, as they are connected at the middle, but then curve away from eachother. Her body is suspended on him, showing her trust in the relationship.

Choreographer’s style: design integral to the dance idea. Blend of ballet through classical arm positions with graham technique and extensive use of torso